Reinforced vehicle body construction



April 22, 1941. w. B. FAGEOL 2,239,089

REINFORCED VEHICLE BODY CNSTRUCTION Filed DGO. 29, 19,38 4 Sheets-Shea?l l Apri 22, 1941. w. B. FAGEOL REINFORCED VEHICLE BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed Deo. 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 x Nw s mh muh. mm, mum.. I3.

April 22, 1941. W. E. FAC-:EOL

REINFORCED VEHICLE BODY CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 29, 1958 4 Sheets-Shes?l 4 Patented pr. 22, 194i William B. Fageol, Kent, Ohio, assignor to Twin Coach Company, Kent, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application December 29, 1938, Serial No. 248,332

6 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicle construction and is more concerned with structural arrangements for strengthening the vehicle body frame.

The invention is applicable to any type of vehicle body where it is desirable to build in rigid structural members for the purpose of strengthening the body, but it is especially applicable to vehicles of the so-called chassisless construction wherein the chassis and frame members are all relatively light, strong structural members, usually of steel, which are integrally united as by welding or riveting.

The invention will hereinafter be described as applied to a passenger carrying vehicle or bus of the chassisless type wherein the motor is supported by the structural members at the rear of the vehicle. In vehicles of this type in general use today, the vehicle door rests upon the horizontal body base frame whose structural members are somewhat stronger than those in the i upper parts of the body because the base frame is attached to the running gear and must support the Weight of the motor and other equipment, as Well as absorb shock loading from roads.

The vertical body frame members are usually I' light structural steel members generally of T- shape to gain as much rigidity as possible while at the same time provide flanges for mounting the body panels. These vertical body frame members extend upwardly from the base frame at each side of the body and slope inwardly and upwardly to provide roof support braces, and are usually rigidly interconnected by suitable roof beams and braces.

In these present day buses, relatively few structural members extend longitudinally of the body and it has been necessary to strengthen the body frame construction by the use of vertical gusset plates and interior panels. These gusset plates or panels extend between adjoining vertical T- shape members and are usually riveted thereto so that the body frame comprises a plurality of integrally united light T-shaped members strengthened by a series of separate panels extending between immediately adjacent members and riveted thereto.

These buses are usually kept in practically constant use and are subjected to all kinds of stresses due to rough city streets Vand other road irregularities. Many of these stresses are transmitted to the structural frame members where they tend to twist and bend the body frame. These stresses are usually unevenly distributed and often cause distortion of the framemembers, shearing of the riveted joints and other attendant damage.

Furthermore, various stresses due to the weight of the heavy rear motor as the vehicle is running along a roadway are transmitted to the body frame members and some diiliculty has been eX- perienced in these vehicles due to breakage of the frame members, especially adjacent the Inotor support. Y

With the above defects of the prior art in mind, it is a major object of the present invention to provide a novel vehicle body frame construction wherein the structural members of the frame are interconnected and reinforced in such a manner as to distribute the various stresses and strains incident to normal operation of the vehicle substantially evenly and uniformly throughout the body frame.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel vehicle body frame comprising a plurality of integrally united light structural members reinforced by relatively rigid girder means. Preferably the invention is employed in vehicles of the chassisless type.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel vehicle body frame construction comprising a plurality of light vertical structural members which are interconnected by a rigid reinforcing band or strip means which extends substantially entirely around the vehicle body. This strip means may be a single strip of metal or may comprise a series of separate strips having their adjacent ends rigidly connected so as to be the equivalent of a single integral strip.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel vehicle body construction comprising a plurality of light structural members which are interconnected and reinforced by a plurality of longitudinal flat strips extending in generally parallel relation above and below the upper and lower window opening edges respectively.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel longitudinal vehicle body reinforcing girder which extends along the body adjacent the upper edges of the side window openings and is formed as a water shed for the windows.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel vehicle body construction wherein the body frame members are reinforce-d by longitudinal girders and the body panels are secured to the girders and the frame members.

It is a further object of the invention, to provide a novel vehicle body construction wherein the body frame is reinforced by a longitudinal girder which serves as substantially a continuation of the body panelling and supports the Window ledge strip.

taken from aV point within the rear end ofva partially constructed vehicle body looking tcward the front of the vehicle illustrating fort hierv the body `frame construction and reinforcing girders. f

Figure 3 is a perspective of the rear end of a vehicle body frame constructed according to the invention with some of the body frame Velenlents omitted to clearly illustrate the manner in which the reinforcing girders are mounted.

'Figure 4 is perspective partial view Qfthe interior of a rear corner of the vehicle body from@ of the invention illustrating especially the lower reinforcing girder.

Figure is aV perspective partial View, partly in section illustrating the reinforced body c011- struction substantially amidships of the vehicle.

` Figure `6 is an'end elevation in section of a side wall and portion of the roof and flooringr of a'vehicle illustrating a preferred' embodiment of thefinvention wherein the reinforcing girders are rigid steel strips only partially lapped by the vehicle body panels.

'Figure '7 is' a fragmentary View. of a further embodiment illustrating the completely overly,- ing relation of the reiniorcingghder and the `body' panel when a stripof metal is used as the reinforcing girder.

VReferring to Figures 1 and 2, theV` horizontal base frame of the vehicle body compriseslongitudinal channels II uponwhich rest a plurality of spaced transverse beams I2. Channels II and beams I2 are suitably rigidly fastened together as byn rivets and suitable hanged inter,- connecting brackets I3 riveted thereto.

A plurality of` light structural members III, which are generally T-shaped in cross section, extend upwardly adjacent the ends of beams I2 and are curved inwardly at their upper ends to denne the roof contour, andaligne'd pairs of these members IllV are secured as by-welding or riveting at opposite sides cfa central longitudinal roof beam l5. A roof brace comprising a member I6 is bolted or otherwise fastened at its opposite ends to each pair of aligned members I. Aligned pairs of members I4 may bespaced at any` desired distance along the body as indicated -in Figures 1, 2 and 5.

As shownA in Figure 6, each member I4 terminates below the base frame and is securedin a suitable manner, as by welding, or riveting to a skirt angle II which extends entirely aroundthe vehicle, being interrupted and offset at the door ways and the wheel housings only.

A plate I3 is secured rigidly upon the lower end of each member I4, as by rivets I9, and the opposite ends of beams I2 are riveted or otherwise suitably secured to plates I3 as illustrated in Figure 6. A transverse tie rod 2I, preferably shaped as an angle, extends substantially parallel to each beam I2 and is bolted or riveted at its opposite ends at 22 to plates I8.

A pair of light T-shaped structural members Z3 and 24'extend longitudinally across the rear roof and upper side dening frame members 2.70

and slope downwardly and rearwardly to .the angle Il. Roof beam l5 extends rearwardly generally parallel with members 23 and 24 and is secured at its lower end to a horizontal cross bar 25 which extends between members 23 and 24.

Frame elements 26 and 2l extend, in horizontal alignment with bar 25, from members 23 and 2e' respectively to adjacent lowerends of frame members 2i), and elements 26 and'l are connected to angle IlI by vertical frame elements and 23 Vrespectively as illustrated in Figure l. lwo vertically spaced series of horizontal frame elements indicated at 3| and 32 extend in generally parallel relation between opposite legs of the rear frame members and traversethe rear vertical frame members 23, 24 and I5.

`All of the horizontal and vertical frame members and elements I4, I5, 29, 23, 24, 25, 25, 21,28,

29, 3l and 32 are preferably rigidly and integrally unitedbv welding 0r riveting t0 provide a skeleton frame which defines the olllQllr ,0f the rear end of the vehicle- Suitable gusset plates are provided for strengthening the interconnection between each frame member and element as desired. l

Vertical frame members i5, Z3 and A2li and horizontal `frame elements 3l and 3,2 cooperateto define the two'central rear window openings. Vertical frame members 23 and 24 define the lateral edges of the rear motor compartrnentV opening whose Vupper edge is dened by cross bar 25..

A'series of .light structural elements 33 extend horizontally between adjacent yVertical side frame elements I4 to denne the upper edges. of the side window openings and these elements 33 are rigidly securedA as by welding or riveting to the vertical frame members.'

At the vehicle licor level, a series of light angle members 34. (Figures l Iand 6). extend between adjacent vertical side frame membersIl and are secured rigidly thereto, as by welding orriveting. As illustrated in Figure 6, the vehicle flooring 35 is supported by beams I2 and angles 34 and is provided with weatherproof caulking 36 at angles '34. The usual floor covering is designated at 3l.

At the front end of the vehicle body, a pair of light structural members 38 and 3 extend along the roof substantially in alignment with rear -frame members 23 and 24 respectivelyand, aftertraversing thefthree foremost vertical frame members I4, slope' forwardly and downwardly. to a horizontal frame member 4l. which traverses the frontA of the body frame from thelforemost Verticallframe member I4`to theffrontledge 50 of the front side'doorwaylllA as illustrated in Figure2. A* A 'I Y AY second horizontal frame member 42 extends across the front of the body parallel and coextensive with member 4l and these members@- ine the bottom rand top edges repectively fof the front window openings. Apair of YV1T,' ..,0al frame members sand 4,4 traverse members 4I and 42 at opposite front corners of the, body/,and are secured in a.s uitable,manner (not'lshow'n) lto angle. Il weer@ it .tfeYerSeS-th@ rontsnd 0f the body., A central, vfrom ,frame-member 45 tieren@ members. andi? and. terminates in a horizon: tal ,cross member dfi'which is connectedby a suitable means l(not shown) v to. angle ITI.

'All of the above described front frame members I4, 38, 3),y `4I`,'2, 43,' 44, 45, andV Alti,A the angle Y I I A'and fthe "element VIII) `dening the front doorway edge are preferably rigidly united as by welding or riveting.

The' above described body frame structure, comprising the rigidly riveted base frame arrangements and the integrally united and Welded or riveted body frame members and elements, defines the skeleton upon which the other vehicle parts are built and does not differ materially from the body frame skeleton which is used in many present day vehicles.

'Howeven as above stated, those of the present day vehicles which are reinforced are provided with panels or gusset plates which are disposed inside the skeleton extending only between adjacent body frame members or elements and being connected thereto by rivets. This construction has been-generally unsatisfactory because these reinforcements are no stronger than the riveted joints and permit appreciable relative movement between the body frame members.

In the present invention, these many internal panels and gusset plates are mostly eliminated and the skeleton frame of the body is reinforced by a band or strip means, or girder construction, which extends entirely around the front, rear and lateral sides of the body.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a girder, indicated at 41, extends around the outer side of the skeleton frame at a level adjacent the lower edges of the side window openings. may be a substantially integral strip or may comprise a series of individual strips connected end to end by a suitable riveted lap joint such as that at 48 to provide the equivalent of a single strip.

Girder 41 is interrupted only at the side doorways and at the rear motor compartment as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and where the girder as a reinforcing strip means is referred to in the claims as extending substantially entirely around the body this is intended to define a girder which is interrupted to provide for doorways or `similar' passages at the front, rear or sides of the vehicle body.

In its practical embodiment each strip or girder 41 is about eight inches wide and of suitable gauge and is rigidly secured as by welding to all of the vertical body frame members which it traverses. The individual strips may be of any desired length but this length is chosen so that no joint 48 will fall directly upon a frame member.

As illustrated in Figure 2, girder 41 extends along the frame entirely across the front end of the body below the window openings and is interrupted at the two side doorways 49 and 5| at the right side of the body. As illustrated in Figure 1, girder 41 extends across the rear of the body, being interrupted at the motor compartment opening, and then entirely along the left side of the body, being there interrupted only by the emergency rear doorway 52.

Figures 3 and 4 further illustrate the cooperation of girder 41 with the body frame and girder strips 53 and 54 are preferably integral strips.

At the upper edges of the side window openings, girders 55 and 56, which may be integral strips or a plurality of strips rigidly interconnected at adjacent ends, by lapped riveted joints such as indicated at 50 extend along opposite outer sides of the body skeleton and are rigidly secured thereto preferably by welding.

Each girder 55 and 56 is shaped to conform to the slope of the roof and side frame membersl and, at the rear of the body, slopesdownwardly Girder 41 to terminate adjacent opposite ends of frame element 32 as illustrated in Figure 3.

Girder 55 is cut away at its lower edge to provide sufficient doorway height at doorway 5l and an additional reinforcing strip 51 is bridged between the vertical frame members l4 at opposite sides of that doorway.

At the front end of the body girders 55 and 56 curve inwardly to conform to the body contour as defined by the skeleton frame and terminate adjacent the ends of frame members 38, 39, 43, and 44. If desired these frame member ends and the adjacent ends of girders 55 and 56 may be-tied together by welding or riveting the same to suitable brackets 58 and 59 respectively at4 opposite corners of the body.

Referring now to Figure 6, girders 41 and 55 therein disclosed are strips of steel of suitable gauge. Y Girder 41 is preferably formed with lon@ gitudinal ribs 6| to strengthen it against lateral bending stresses and is lapped over the upper edge of the lower external body paneling 62. Paneling 62 is preferably riveted to the lower edges; of girder 6l and to angle members 34 and angle.` l1.

The upper edge of girder 41 is lapped under the outerV leg of an inverted channel strip 631 which extends along the body at the lower edges of the side windows and is formed at the window openings to serve as window ledges. Strip 63 is; preferably riveted to girder 41 and secured as by' welding to brackets 64 which are rigid with the vertical frame members I4 at each window opening. In addition to functioning as a windowv ledge, strip 63 materially assists in strengthening the body frame longitudinally.

Suitable operable windows of conventional design indicated at 65 are provided in each window opening and such will not be further described since the present invention is not concerned with the details of the window construction.

Above the window openings girder 55 is formed at its lower edge to extend outwardly and downwardly' at 66 to provide a water shed for the` window below. The external roof paneling 61 is riveted in overlapped relation to the upper edge ofgirder 55 and adjacent its lower edge girder 55 is secured, as by welding, to horizontal frame elements 33 asabove indicated. A resilient bed 68 for' the upper window pane is securely clamped between the lower side of girder 55 and elements 33.

When steel strip girders are used as above described, or Awhen material having the same desirable properties as steel is used in the girders, an appreciable saving in external body paneling material since the panels need only lap with the girders sufdciently toprovide a suitable riveted joint and the girders in effect become substantial continuations of the body paneling.

` It is possible to use the regular aluminum body paneling material for the strip material of the girders but in such instance the external body paneling is lapped wholly over the girders to double the thickness of the girders in order to gain sufficient rigidity. Such a construction illustrated in Figure 'l where the lower body paneling 62' is lapped in full surface engagement with the strip girder 41' and both are securely riveted together and to the window ledge channel 63. In this modification of the invention the rigid double `strip thickness at the top of panel 62' functions to resist and uniformly distribute body stresses in the same manner as steel strip 41.

The above described invention provides an exceptional-ly rigid body` frame wliicb, l is rein;

' forced by continuous girders` e'xtemiing'` snbstgntially entirelyaround the body above and below the window openings. Y v These girders,being rigid with the body frame members and elements, distribute the operating stresses substantially uniformly along the body so that the individual frame membersV are not subjected to sudden, violent forces which tend to deiorm or rupture their connection with the other parts ci the body. Each side of the body is effectively tiedrtogether and both ends are appreciably reinforced, the .improvement over prior designs being especially noticeable inthe body frame adjacent the motor s uppn )rt.V

The above described invention also leffects cons siderable economy in fabricating the. vehicle bodies that the numerous panels and gusset plates hitherto used at the interior of the `frame are dispensed with and less external body panel-A ing is needed. Moreover the appearanceoi the body, inside and out, is much heater vandfrrlore pleasing to the eye ,thanin prior constructions.

The invention may be embodied in other spe-` cic forms without departing from thespirit'lor essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to Vbe lccfinsgideredv in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by thelappended claims rather than by the v`f oregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range Yof eguiyalency of thetclairns are 4therefore intended to beenibraced therein, 'h

What is claimed and desired to, be secured by United States Letters Patent is: s

l. In a vehicle body, a motorfsupportng horizontal base frame having a pair of main'lon'gitudinal members and a plurality of spaced transverse members rigidly secured to said longitudinal members, Veach of said transverseniembers bridging said longitudinal members and termb natingv laterally outwardly thereof at opposite sides of said base frame; a plurality or vertical body frame members and means .rigidly vlsecuring each of said vertical members tolan adjacent end of one of said transverse members so that said vertical members are Varranged .in pairs at opposite ends of each transverse member in llongitudinal rows along ropposite sides of said body; transverse roof frame membersbridging the upper ends of said vertical members a skirt member belowl said base frame inter n ecting the lower ends of said -veitGal mem l tudinal frame members V01:1 opposite des Qi Said body cooperating with said .yerti alfmembers to denne side'windowopeninss, in said boo rid a reinforcing member .comprising "a ,relatively wide thin Iat metal band extendingsubsttahtially entirely around said body and'being'intsrrupted only at doorways Aand similar passages or openings in said body, saidband being 4securedrd-` rectiy, intimately and irigidly upon theouter sur; faces of the vertical frame'membersbelows iid window openings so that stresses insa'idvertlcal frame Amembers ,are lcommunicated directly ,t0 Said band, yall of said members beingintegrallyunited to provide a light-weight, uni-tary,oombined body and chassis skeleton frame to `*which -tlieleggternal body Apanels and the vehicle running gevargare directly attached, with said band erving to re` sist and uniformly distribute ,twntmsianiebendf ins stressesset up v in sadslieleton i-fremeginuident to motor nbre-tion .and .roeren .roadway conditions 5 Y e y assente -2,. In the vehicle body defined in claim 1, a pair of Wide thin flat bands secured' directly and rigidly upon thesouterv surfaces of said vertical members along, the upper edges o f said side window openings at opposite sides of the body and extending parallel to said lower band.

` 3. In a'vehicle body, a horizontal base frame comprising a plurality of rigidly interconnected longitudinal Vand transverse members; a plurality of substantially inverted U-shaped members of light structural metal spaced along and above saidbase frame, thefopposed depending legsY of each of said U-shaped members being secured to ODPOSJite ends of one of said transverse .members;u al skirt member interconnecting the lower endsfoi said legs below said base frame; longitudinal window ledge members VYsecured to said legs along oppositeA sidesof said body; a body reinforcing memberl comprising a relatively wide, thin,H vflatA metal band eat/ending substantially entirely around said body andbeing interrupted only at doorways and similar passages or openings inl said body; means securing'said band directly upon said legs and directly to said window ledge members; all 'of said members being united to provide a light-Weight, unitary combined body and chassis skeleton irame'to whichy the vehicle running gear directlynattached, with said band lserving to resist and distribute twisting and vlcc ending stresses set up in said skeleton frame incident to motor vibration and'A uneven roadway conditions;v and an externalmlower body panel secured upon said skeleton frame; the upper edge of said panel being lapped over said interrupted band soas to enclose said band between the body Y panel en@ Seid legs .4L :In avehicle body, a unitary skeleton frame comprising a .body base frame including a plurality Vof rigidly unitedA longitudinal and transverserrnembersand -fa series of substantially inverted lLJ-.shaped structural members spaced along and above said baslef'vframe", the or'aposedV depending legs of each o f'said U-shaped members being'secured to opposite ends of one of Said transverse members; longitudinal windowV ledge `ironie@rs Secured te Seid lese along ODP@- site sides `of said body', abody reinforcing memberv comprising-a thin, flat, wide band of aluminum or like light metal extending substantially entirely `around said skeleton frame andfbeing interrupted only at doorways and similar passages or openings in said body, means securing said .band rdirectly to said window ledge members and to said'legs along thee'xteror of said skeleton frame, and an external body panel of the same material .as said band secured upon the exterior of Said vskeleton `frame, the upper .edge of said panel cnnpletely overlapping said band and being secured to said band and said window ledge member, and the ,cembined thicknesses of said united band and panel at said overlapped portion providing a girder yof appreciable strength for uniformly distributing operating Vforces among the skeleton frame members.V

ing substantially entirely around said skeleton frame and secured directly to said ver-tical members said band being interrupted only at doorways and similar passages or openings in said body; an external body panel secured upon said skeleton frame below said beam, the upper end of said panel being wholly lapped over said band and disposed between said band and the inner side of said leg; and means rigidly uniting said leg, panel and band.

5. In a vehicle a light-weight, unitary skeleton frame comprising a body base frame and a plurality of vertical members upstanding from opposite sides of said base frame, said vertical members being arranged in longitudinal rows along opposite sides of said body; longitudinal window ledge members secured to said vertical members along opposite sides of said body; a thin relatively wide, at band of steel or like rigid material extending substantially entirely around said body secured directly and rigidly upon said vertical members said band being interrupted only at doorways and similar passages or openings in said body; and an external body panel of aluminum or like light material secured upon said skeleton frame, the upper end of said panel underlapping the lower edge of said band so that the band comprises an effective upward continuation of the body panelling between said panel and the window ledge member.

, WILLIAM B. FAGEOL 

